• Valid for five years from date of purchase, through the 2030 season
• Non-refundable

Instructions for buyers

• On the checkout page, please include the name of the intended recipient(s) in the “Order notes” box.
• A digital gift certificate will be emailed to you, so that you can either print it for or email it to the recipient. Gift certificates will be emailed every Friday, starting December 5.

Instructions for recipients:

• Apply for a 2026 trip starting Monday, December 8, 2025.
• Go here for application instructions and the application form; do NOT pay the Application Fee
• Applicants with gift certificates will be evaluated like all other applicants (i.e. based on their experience, fitness, and technical comfort) and will be eligible only for trips for which they have the necessary skills and fitness
• Where prompted on the very last page of the Application Form, indicate that you have a gift certificate.

The post Guided Trip Gift Certificate appeared first on Skurka Adventures.

Course structure

The course includes:

• 8 hours of online learning, which you will complete beforehand; and,
• 8 hours of practical skill work, which you will complete with us in-person.

Certification

Upon completion of this course, students will receive either a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Certification issued by the UNM International Mountain Medicine Center, valid for 2 years.

If students have a current Wilderness First Responder certification (WFR), UNM will recertify their certification, valid for 2 years. The certification must be current and can be from any wilderness medicine company. Students eligible for WFR re-certification will have some additional material added to their online preparation. You may want to familiarize yourself with re-certification requirements of various organizations (e.g. NOLS) to ensure that your next re-certifications will not be adversely affected.

Who should take this course?

The WFA course is prudent training for individuals (and informal trip leaders) who spend time in wilderness where delayed access to care, challenging environmental conditions, sub-optimal medical equipment, limited communications, and independent decision-making are the norm. Students will gain applicable medical knowledge and a framework for managing medical issues in the field.

Objective

1. To understand the theory and application of wilderness medicine.
2. To gain a working knowledge of various mountain medicine problems.
3. To recognize signs and symptoms of various injuries and diseases and their
   treatment.
4. To develop the ability to make decisions, under duress, during an emergency
   in a remote location.
5. To successfully perform the skills needed at Wilderness First Aid level in an
   austere environment.
6. To develop a basic clinical assessment and medical reasoning skills.

Prices

• If you are on a guided trip, the price is $225.
• If you are not on a guided trip, the price is $285.

This course has been priced notably below-market because (1) we can, based on our costs to offer it; and (2) we’d like to make this information more financially accessible. Taken through another organization like NOLS or REI, this course costs around $400.

How to sign up

For current course availability, refer to the trip schedule.

If you are applying for a guided trip, in the Application Form indicate your interest (First Choice, Second Choice) in the available sessions. The course fee will be added to your trip invoice. If you have already submitted your application, email me/Andrew so that I can add you manually.

Online lectures (8 hours)

• Patient Assessment
• Ortho Injuries
• Wound Care
• Head Trauma
• Heat Illness
• Lightning
• Allergic Reactions
• Medical Emergencies
• Altitude Illness

In-person skill sessions (8 hours)

• Patient Assessment Review
• Basic Airway Management
• Bleeding Control & Shock
• Splinting & Spinal Cord Protection
• Bites & Stings (applicable to local area, snakebites, etc.)
• Hypothermia
• Patient Packaging & Movement
• Rescue & Patient Care Scenarios
• Additional Topics Tailored to Group Needs
• Course Wrap-Up

About the International Mountain Medicine Center

The International Mountain Medicine Center (IMMC) at the University of New Mexico is one of the premier programs for mountain emergency medicine and rescue in the world. Our faculty consists of mountain rescue paramedics, emergency medicine physicians, and mountain guides. We focus our teachings on internationally accepted and evidence based concepts, and strive to contribute to the general knowledge base of our field through research, education, and our own mountain rescue practice in New Mexico. Our internationally recognized courses equip health professionals with the knowledge and skills to adapt their medical practices to the mountains.

Lead instructors

• Tina Currin, WEMT
• Witt Wisebram, WEMT

Schedule

• Check-in is between 7:30-7:45 AM.
• The course runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with an hour-long break for lunch at noon.
• Bring a lunch, or plan to purchase food at one of several local establishments.

What to bring

• Notebook and pencil or pen
• Outdoor work gloves (gardening, leather, or canvas)
• Personal bottle of hand sanitizer
• Watch with a second hand or digital second
• Sunglasses and/or protective eyewear
• Water bottle
• Light hiking boots or sturdy shoes
• Clothing layers that allow you to be comfortable in a variety of weather conditions, including a hat

2026 course information

Escalante

Location

• The Escalante Interagency BLM Visitor Center – 755 W Main Street, Escalante, UT
• Please walk or carpool so we don’t take up all the parking
• Meet in front of the building by the lizard statue for check-in from 7:30-7:45 AM

Travel and scheduling

Refer to this page for lodging/camping, restaurant, and grocery options in Escalante.

The course will be held before Session 1 of our guided trips. We recommend that you:

• Overnight in or near town on April 20
• Attend the course on April 21
• Start your trip on April 22

Cancellation policy

If you ARE on a guided trip, the cancellation policy is described here.

If you are NOT on a guided trip, the cancellation policy is:

• $50 administrative fee if you cancel within seven days after registration;
• 50 percent refund if you cancel more than 30 days in advance of the course;
• No refund if you cancel within 29 days or less of the course.

The post Wilderness First Aid appeared first on Skurka Adventures.

Read the cancellation policy.

Note to international students:

If you experience difficulty paying for the course, specifically because the billing address must be US-based, you can enter my address as a workaround.

• Andrew Skurka Adventures LLC
• 490 Inca Pkwy
• Boulder CO 80303

The post Plan Like A Pro appeared first on Skurka Adventures.

Please pay this fee before or after you submit your Application Form. Your application will not be reviewed until the fee is paid.

If you:

• Have a credit from a previous year, do not pay this fee.
• Plan to join more than one trip in 2025, pay the fee only once, and select any of the locations in which you’re interested.
• Are with a group, group members can pay for themselves separately (i.e. $25 per person) or one person can pay for multiple group members (e.g. $50 for two people)

Once we are within about 45 days from the start of a trip, we may update the Application Fee price to $0 and apply it to your invoice instead. In this situation, we usually have only a few spots remaining and they go quickly if we promote or discount them. I don’t want an applicant to pay the fee if these spots may already be gone.

The post Guided Trips: Application Fee appeared first on Skurka Adventures.

The digital Yosemite High Route Guide includes must-have resources for thru- and section-hiking the Yosemite High Route, including:

• Planning information,
• Annotated topographic maps,
• Datasheets,
• Route descriptions, and a
• Rudimentary GPX file.

Status

This guidebook is a work in progress, and always will be. It’s functionally complete, and has been used by dozens of hikers to complete thru- and section-hikes of the route.

As of January 2022, the only missing content is in Part B of the guidebook (“As you go”), specifically, descriptions of eight on-trail approach routes to the termini. With basic map-reading skills, these sections should not pose any challenges.

Format

The Yosemite High Route Guide is a digital product. With a decent internet connection, the entire 800-MB package can be easily downloaded. The files have been compressed into a single zipped file and must be extracted using standard Windows or Apple software before accessing.

If you need a copy on DVD, please contact me with your mailing address and include a receipt or your order number.

If your access expires before you have had a chance to download the files, of if you lose the files at some point, contact me so that I can renew your access.

Mapset

The Guide includes a complete mapset for:

• The entire Core Route,
• Twelve Approach Routes to the Core Route,
• Five short alternates to the Core Route and Approach Routes,
• Eight recommended Section-Hikes.

The maps were developed using CalTopo, using as a base map the USGS 7.5-minute or FSTopo 2016 topographic series. They are geo-referenced PDF’s. When printed on 11 x 17 paper, the map scale will be its native 1:24,000. Printing on smaller paper will compress the topographic detail, perhaps to the point of being illegible. Contour intervals are 40 feet.

A recommended line of travel has NOT been drawn onto the maps. Hey, I didn’t want to steal your fun by telling you exactly where to go. To help guide you, instead I have marked notable landmarks, including intersections, creek crossings, and passes. Your job is to essentially “connect the dots,” following the route description and the point order on the Datasheet.

Printing tips for topographic maps

Download a sample map

Screenshot of the topographic map for the Core Route

Guidebook

The Guidebook has three parts:

Part 1 (“Before you go”) has information to help you plan your trip, e.g. transportation, permitting, direction of travel, resupply, recommended equipment. This information is in addition to the preparatory materials at the mini-site.

Part 2 and Part 3 (“As you go”) are complementary to the Mapset. They offer general information and context, and in-depth route information for sections that really need. The Core Route and Approach Routes are described in Part 2. The Section Hikes are described in Part 3.

Download pages 1, 2, and 5 of Part 2

Screenshot from Part 1: Before You Go.

Datasheets

These quick-reference spreadsheets list the incremental and cumulative distances and vertical change between key landmarks. They are extremely useful in planning your trip, scheduling your day, and gauging your pace. Datasheets for the Core Route, Approach Routes, and Section Hikes are included.

Download page 1 of the Datasheet for the Core Route

Screenshot of the Datasheet for the Core Route

GPX file

I have included a GPX file with very limited information. You’ll find trailhead waypoints and a crude track that will help you identify the topographic map tiles you need to download onto your handheld GPS or smartphone. It does not include a track for the recommended route — that’s for you to figure out.

Early-season hazards

Snow and water hazards will be encountered on the Yosemite High Route through June (after a normal winter, plus/minus after non-normal winters).

After early-season research in July 2019, I will share a consolidated list of these hazards, and perhaps narrative instructions for the trickiest spots. This information will be consolidated into the Second Edition of the Guide.

Resources not included

In addition to the detailed set of topographic maps included with the Guide, I would also recommend:

• National Geographic Trails Illustrated #206, a large-scale map of the entire park; and,
• Digital maps of your route, stored on a handheld GPS or your smartphone. I specifically recommend GaiaGPS or CalTopo.

The post Yosemite High Route Guide appeared first on Skurka Adventures.

About The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide

Renowned hiker Andrew Skurka shares his hard-earned knowledge in this completely updated guide to backpacking gear, supplies, and skills. First-time backpackers, weekend warriors, and seasoned backcountry travelers will learn exactly what to carry — on their backs and between their ears — for all locations and seasons.

A show-and-tell of clothing, footwear, backpacks, sleeping bags, shelters, and cooking systems, plus recipes, sample gear lists, trip planning checklists, expert tips, and much more, The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide covers the essential tools and techniques needed to hit the trail.

Where to buy

I recommend buying the Gear Guide from a local book store or outdoor retailer, or online from Amazon. I no longer sell copies directly, to simplify my e-commerce.

To read The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide on your Kindle, buy it directly from Amazon.

Where to buy outside the US

If you live outside the US and wish to place an order for multiple copies (and ask nicely), I can probably help you out. Otherwise, I ask that you obtain the book locally or from a retailer that can better manage international orders.

For the convenience of international readers, I have a list of retailers outside the US that I try to keep updated.

Differences between the First and Second Editions

If you already own the original book, should you purchase the Second Edition? For a lengthy answer to this question, read this: “Points of difference: The First vs Second Editions of the Gear Guide.”

The short answer will not surprise you: Unequivocally, yes. The First Edition is outdated, in terms of both its information and my point of view. Since I wrote the original manuscript, backpacking changed and so did I — new products and brands, and new personal experiences and insights.

The Second Edition is updated through September 2016, and it reflects all of my current thinking about backpacking gear, supplies, and skills.

20-page preview

If you would like to get a better feel for the content, writing style, and layout of The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide, preview 20 pages by downloading this PDF.

Testimonials & reviews

What are readers and the media saying about The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide?

“Just wow! So worth the price in gear savings alone. Don’t buy any gear until you read this. Hands down, your best investment starts here.” — verified Amazon customer

“This 2nd edition continues to provide the clearest thinking about backpacking for hikers of all ability levels.” — Tommy Hayes, on Goodreads

Wes Siler, Outside

“Skurka’s updated guide is a masterclass in how to enjoy the outdoors comfortably. The book teaches you how to pack light, obviously, but it also dives much further into how to select the appropriate clothing, shelters, sleep systems, and more for a variety of terrain, seasons, and objectives. Skurka explains the challenges you’ll face, how the gear works, and the differences between seemingly minor variables, empowering you with the knowledge necessary to make purchasing decisions across a range of budgets. This isn’t just a list of stuff you should buy: it’s the information you need to become an informed consumer and expert user of gear. While the book is clearly targeted at ultralight backpacking, it’s actually an excellent guide to all-round outdoor competence.”

Nick Gatel, PopUpBackpacker

“The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide is really not about the gear per se, but how to choose gear and how to use it so you can accomplish The Goal and enjoy the walking part too. The book is well laid out, presents a ton of solid and useful information, is easy to read and understand.”

David Chenault, Bedrock & Paradox

“The ideal audience for lengthy how-to tracts is the among the groups least likely to read them, they’re too busy out learning by doing.  With this in mind one must weigh detail and a fair balance of the inherently subjective with paragraphs and pages that don’t strain the readers attention span too far.  Skurka’s book is rife with bullet points, sidebars (unfortunately titled “How 2…”), and short paragraphs largely bereft of compound sentences.  It also features terse but detailed discussions of vapor barrier liners, the limitations of WPB laminates, minimizing drafts in quilts, fighting condensation in single wall shelters, layering in cool wet weather, and many other topics that are difficult to discuss both clearly and well.  The way in which Skurka deals with complex subjects quickly, but without being reductive, is the books second greatest strength.”

Dave Marcus, Engearment

“If you already have the first edition, should you get the second? Depends, but most likely yes. As Skurka discusses on his blog, there are some pretty big differences between the two. Two major things: he wrote the first edition in 2011 and gear has come a loooooong way since then; and he, himself, learned more about the needs of the average backpacker and how to translate his experience and advice into something both digestible and useful for that person. If you’ve become your own expert in the intervening years, maybe you can skip it. But, even for the expert, Skurka offers value. As far as I’m concerned, it’s always good to get advice from experts, even if you consider yourself an expert in the same field.”

Philip Werner, SectionHiker

The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide is not really a book about gear per se, as much as it is about the skills and knowledge that very experienced backpackers develop for planning trips and deciding what gear is appropriate and safe enough to bring.

That might sound like a subtle distinction, but I think Andrew’s emphasis on skills and not the latest gear fad is a breath of fresh air in an industry that has become a bit too focused on gear and less on the self sufficiency and ingenuity that define an “Ultimate Hiker.”

The Trek, by Caet Cash

Andrew Skurka’s Gear Guide…is the most in-depth, well organized, and well researched book about backpacking gear available. It not only advises gear choices, but also helps beginning outdoorspeople develop good systems of organization and safe habits while in the back country.

The post The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide, Second Edition appeared first on Skurka Adventures.

In the Pfiffner Traverse section of this website, I have posted extensive information to help you decide if this route is right for you. If you’re on this page, I assume you wish to proceed. Your next step is to download the Pfiffner Traverse Guide, which includes must-have resources for thru- and section-hiking it.

Mapset

The Guide includes a complete and excellent Mapset, with separate print-ready PDF’s for the Primary Route and its Alternates, and each of the Section Hikes. The maps were developed using CalTopo, using as a base map the FSTopo 2016 tiles, which is an updated iteration of the gold standard USGS 7.5-minute topographic series.

The maps are so extensively annotated that you will probably refer to the Guidebook text only for the most complex sections. Intentionally, I did not draw a specific line of travel on the map — I didn’t want to steal your fun by telling you exactly where to go.

When printed on 11 x 17 paper, the map scale will be its native 1:24,000. Printing on smaller paper will compress the topographic detail, perhaps to the point of being illegible. Contour intervals are 40 feet.

Download a sample map

Printing tips for topographic maps

Sample map, not to scale

Guidebook

The Guidebook has three parts:

Part 1 (“Before you go”) has information to help you plan your trip, e.g. transportation, permitting, direction of travel, resupply, recommended equipment. This information is in addition to the preparatory materials at the mini-site.

Part 2 and Part 3 (“As you go”) are complementary to the Mapset. They offer general information and context, and in-depth route information for sections that really need. The Primary Route (thru-hike) and its Alternates, Bypasses, and Extra Credits are described in Part 2. The Section Hikes are described in Part 3.

Part 1, 2, and 3 are provided as a separate PDF file, designed for printing on Letter 8.5 x 11 inch paper. Part 1 need not be printed since it has minimal or no relevance in the field, but you may prefer a physical copy to read and annotate before your trip. Thru-hikers should print Part 2. Section-hikers should print from Part 2 and Part 3 the pages that are relevant to their itinerary.

Download pages 1 & 2 from Part 2 — “As You Go”

Sample from Part 2 of the Guidebook, “As You Go.”

Datasheets

These quick-reference spreadsheets list the incremental and cumulative distances and vertical change between key landmarks. They are extremely useful in planning your trip, scheduling your day, and gauging your pace. Datasheets for the Primary Route and Section Hikes are included.

Download page 1 of the Datasheet for the Primary Route

Screenshot of page 1 of the Datasheet for the Primary Route

GPX file

I have included a GPX file with very limited information. You’ll find waypoints for trailheads and for select high points, and a track that will help you identify the topographic map tiles you need to download onto your handheld GPS or smartphone. It does not include a track for the recommended route — that’s for you to figure out.

Rocky Mountain Campsite Planner

The first 30 miles of the Pfiffner Traverse are in Rocky Mountain National Park, which requires the use of designated backcountry campsites in the interest of resource protection. I have created a “cheat sheet” to help you plan your itinerary through the park. It lists all campsites on or near the route, with mileages between them.

Screenshot of the RMNP Campsite Planner

Early-season hazards

If thru- or section-hiking the Pfiffner Traverse in June or July after a normal or wet winter, snow hazards will be encountered. An overview list is included with the Guide; it is also embedded in a discussion about crampons and ice axes. Part 2 of the Guidebook (“As you go”) contains a few additional details.

Download details

With a decent internet connection, the entire Guide can be easily downloaded. The files have been compressed into a single zipped file and must be extracted using standard Windows or Apple software before accessing. It’s about 250 MB in size.

If you need a copy on DVD, please contact me with your mailing address, and attach a receipt of purchase.

If your access expires before you have had a chance to download the files, of if you lose the files at some point, contact me so that I can renew your access.

Resources not included

In addition to the detailed set of topographic maps included with the Guide, I would also recommend obtaining NG Trails Illustrated maps #200, #102, and #103, as well as digital maps of the area stored on a GPS or smartphone. Read more.

The post Pfiffner Traverse Guide appeared first on Skurka Adventures.

Mapset

The Guide includes a complete and excellent Mapset, with separate print-ready PDF’s for the Primary Route and its Alternates, and each of the Section Hikes. The maps were developed using CalTopo, using the gold standard USGS 7.5-minute topographic series as the base map.

The maps are so extensively annotated that you will probably refer to the Guidebook text only for the most complex sections. Intentionally, I did not draw a specific line of travel on the map — I didn’t want to steal your fun by telling you exactly where to go.

When printed on 11 x 17 paper, the map scale will be its native 1:24,000. Printing on smaller paper will compress the topographic detail, perhaps to the point of being illegible. Contour intervals are 40 feet.

Sample map of the Dinwoody Glacier area

Printing tips for topographic maps

Guidebook

The Guidebook has three parts:

Part 1 (“Before you go”) has information to help you plan your trip, e.g. transportation, permitting, direction of travel, resupply, recommended equipment. This information is in addition to the preparatory materials at the mini-site.

Part 2 and Part 3 (“As you go”) are complementary to the Mapset. They offer general information and context, and in-depth route information for sections that really need. The Primary Route (thru-hike) and its Alternate Routes are described in Part 2, and the Section Hikes and their Alternate Routes are described in Part 3.

Part 1, 2, and 3 are provided as a separate PDF file, designed for printing on Letter 8.5 x 11 inch paper. Part 1 need not be printed since it has minimal or no relevance in the field, but you may prefer a physical copy to read and annotate before your trip. Thru-hikers should print Part 2. Section-hikers should print from Part 2 and Part 3 the pages that are relevant to their itinerary.

Sample: Guidebook — Part 2 — As you go, pages 1 & 2

Data Sheets

These quick-reference spreadsheets list the incremental and cumulative distances and vertical change between key landmarks. They are extremely useful in planning your trip, scheduling your day, and gauging your pace. Databooks for the Primary Route, Section Hikes, and Alternates are included.

Sample: Datasheet for the Primary Route, page 1

GPX file

I have included a GPX file with very limited information. You’ll find waypoints for trailheads and for select high points, and a track that will help you identify the topographic map tiles you need to download onto your handheld GPS or smartphone. It does not include a track for the recommended route — that’s for you to figure out.

Download details

With a decent internet connection, the entire Guide can be easily downloaded. The files have been compressed into a single zipped file and must be extracted using standard Windows or Apple software before accessing. It’s just over 500 MB.

If you need a copy on DVD, please contact me with your mailing address, and attach a receipt of purchase.

If your access expires before you have had a chance to download the files, of if you lose the files at some point, contact me so that I can renew your access.

Resources not included

In addition to the detailed set of topographic maps included with the Guide, I would also recommend obtaining an overview map of the Wind River Range and digital maps of the area stored on a GPS or smartphone. Read more.

The post Wind River Range High Route Guide appeared first on Skurka Adventures.

I have decided to make this PDF download available for free. It’s become outdated, and the effort to assemble it has more than paid for itself. Use coupon FREE at checkout.

Download instructions

After placing the order, you will receive a Completed Order email. In it, look for a link to download the file. The link expires in three days; if you need it extended, contact me.

About

My goal in publishing Backpacking Food is to help you have a better and mistake-free food experience on your next trip. It offers recommendations on the types and amounts of food to pack. It includes recipes for seven hearty but simple breakfasts and dinners. It describes in detail three trail-tested 3-season stove systems. And, finally, it discusses the pros and cons of various food storage and protection methods.

This e-book is a compilation of food-related content that I have previously developed for or published on my website, webinars, and personal use. It includes some new content, too. While I try to make the original online materials easily accessible, and while they will remain free and public, this single location should be more easily referenceable.

This Pre-Edition has not undergone a final edit, and not all the content is as thorough as it could be. You will find grammar and spelling mistakes, and you may feel that it lacked some relevant information or important nuance. These issues will be resolved before release of the First Edition — until then, please overlook them.

The post Backpacking Food: Recipes, Rations, Stoves & Storage appeared first on Skurka Adventures.

Whether you’re on the fence or have already blocked out dates on your calendar, the next step is to download the Kings Canyon High Basin Route Guide, which includes must-have resources for thru- and section-hikers. The Guide includes:

Guidebook

The Guidebook has three parts. Part 1 contains planning information. Part 2 and Part 3 are field guides: the Primary Route and its Alternate Routes are described in Part 2, and the Section Hikes and their Alternate Routes are described in Part 3.

Each part is a separate PDF file, designed for printing on Letter 8.5 x 11 inch paper. Part 1 need not be printed since it has minimal or no relevance in the field, but you may prefer a physical copy to read and annotate before your trip. Thru-hikers should print Part 2. Section-hikers should print from Part 2 and Part 3 the pages that are relevant to their itinerary.

Part 1: Before you go

It seems appropriate to cite the British Army’s 7 P’s: “Proper planning and preparation prevents piss poor performance.” The Kings Canyon High Basin Route is an ambitious and committing route, and some consideration beforehand is prudent. Part 1 will help you plan a seamless trip and to arrive at the trailhead fully prepared for the experience ahead. Contents:

• Permitting
• Transportation
• Nearby Services & Resupply
• Pertinent rules & personal conduct

Remember that there is also extensive information in the minisite.

Part 2: Primary Route

The route description for the Primary Route and its Alternate is written end-to-end, going counter-clockwise from Lodgepole and finishing at Road’s End. Thru-hikers will need to have Part 2 in its entirety, while section-hikers will only need to bring relevant pages.

Part 3: Section Hikes

For most backpackers a thru-hike will demand too much: time, effort, and/or backcountry skills. So I have created nine worthy Section Hikes ranging from 30-80 miles that cover the entire route. Part 3 of the Guidebook contains route descriptions for them and their Alternate. Where the Section Hike follows the Primary Route, toggle to the appropriate pages of Part 2. The Section Hike descriptions are written in the direction of travel that I have deemed to be optimal, which may or may not be consistent with the Primary Route description.

Data Sheets

Databooks

These quick-reference spreadsheets list the distances and vertical change between key landmarks. They are extremely useful in planning your trip, scheduling your day, and gauging your pace. Databooks for the Primary Route, Section Hikes, and Alternates are included.

Turn-by-Turn

In general, Section Hikes begin at a trailhead off the Primary Route, hike up to and join the Primary Route, and then return to the original trailhead. But it is more complex than that: some routes used to access the Primary Route are shared by other Section Hikes, and the optimal direction of travel for the section-hike may not be counter-clockwise, as it is for the Primary Route. The Turn-by-Turn sheet tries to make sense of this, while still calculating accurate distance and elevation information.

Topographic map sets

The Guide includes a complete and excellent set of topographic maps, with separate print-ready PDF’s for the Primary Route and its Alternates, and each of the Section Hikes plus their Alternates. The maps were developed using CalTopo, using the USGS 7.5-minute series as the base map. The maps are annotated with key points and critical route information, with such detail that the route descriptions in the guidebook are not always critical.

When printed on 11 x 17 paper, the map scale will be its native 1:24,000. Printing on smaller paper will compress the topographic detail, perhaps to the point of being illegible. Contour intervals are 40 feet or 20 meters (65 feet), depending on the original base map, some of which are in Metric and others of which are in Imperial.

Read my map-printing tips.

Download a sample map.

Download details

With a decent internet connection, the entire Guide can be easily downloaded. The files have been compressed into a single zipped file and must be extracted using standard Windows or Apple software before accessing.

If you need a copy on DVD, please contact me with your mailing address, and attach a receipt of purchase.

Must-have resources not included

The KCHBR Guide is designed to be a comprehensive one-stop resource for a thru- or section-hike. However, I recommend a few additional resources:

• Kings Canyon High Basin Route minisite
• Park overview map, specifically the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park Map (#205) by National Geographic Trails Illustrated
• Other guidebooks and online resources that will complement the information in the Guide
• Proper gear
• Backcountry experience
• Fitness
• Sense of adventure

Comments and questions

The Guide contains a tremendous amount of information and I’m very proud of the end product, but I can almost assure you that it is still not perfect. If you find errors or have suggestions, please contact me, leave a comment in the minisite, or write a product review for the Guide. Thanks, and have fun out there!

The post Kings Canyon High Basin Route Guide appeared first on Skurka Adventures.